2000 Insight - TLC and ecomodding build

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Half the time we end up riding in our roommate's RSX or my brother's Saturn, lack of backseats is definitely restrictive.

I have never used the back seats in any of the cars I have owned in a fashion where I could avoid using them. I used to carpool with a full car back when I had my camry, but in my Corolla, civic and Mustang the back seats have never seen a butt except for mine when I'm cleaning the rear of the front seats.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

I have never used the back seats in any of the cars I have owned in a fashion where I could avoid using them. I used to carpool with a full car back when I had my camry, but in my Corolla, civic and Mustang the back seats have never seen a butt except for mine when I'm cleaning the rear of the front seats.

I see you're tossing around the idea of swapping your HX for an Insight. As much as I love my car, very high MPG numbers have diminishing returns (L/km is a better system, really) and it might be a while before you break even. If it's just for fun though, then why not?

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Ecky

I see you're tossing around the idea of swapping your HX for an Insight. As much as I love my car, very high MPG numbers have diminishing returns (L/km is a better system, really) and it might be a while before you break even. If it's just for fun though, then why not?

It is for 100% fun, just like my Mustang. The HX is already on CL for 3500. It's overpriced but someone might come scoop it up. I have always wanted an insight and I should have gotten that instead of the Corolla in the first place.

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

It is for 100% fun, just like my Mustang. The HX is already on CL for 3500. It's overpriced but someone might come scoop it up. I have always wanted an insight and I should have gotten that instead of the Corolla in the first place.

Do you know if the California versions have a different ECU? Do they still have lean-burn, or will you need to buy one out-of-state (or get a new ECU) for that?

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Ecky

Do you know if the California versions have a different ECU? Do they still have lean-burn, or will you need to buy one out-of-state (or get a new ECU) for that?

To my knowledge, it's the exact car because there is no emissions requirements due to it being a hybrid.

[Insight for life]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

It is for 100% fun, just like my Mustang. The HX is already on CL for 3500. It's overpriced but someone might come scoop it up. I have always wanted an insight and I should have gotten that instead of the Corolla in the first place.

WHAT!?!?! I thought you were keeping the HX for ever? Its ok, I knew you would join us eventually. I have had 7 insights thus far. Once you go insight there is no comparison.

[Baltothewolf]

Originally Posted by Insight for life

WHAT!?!?! I thought you were keeping the HX for ever? Its ok, I knew you would join us eventually. I have had 7 insights thus far. Once you go insight there is no comparison.

I made the decision yesterday morning when my uncles friend let me drive his 2002 insight and I got 72mpg without even trying in the city.

[Ecky]

Got around to starting on the bellypan repairs today:



Also finished my grid charging harness:





The splice connectors will give power to the 12v battery cooling fan while the car is off. The 180v will piggyback on, allowing me to leave the harness connected all the time and simply connect 120vac and flip a switch to start charging.

[Baltothewolf]

Interesting... I'll be making one of these within the next couple of weeks, I'm buying an Insight tomorrow. How much is that grid charger going to cost you when all is said and done?

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Baltothewolf

Interesting... I'll be making one of these within the next couple of weeks, I'm buying an Insight tomorrow. How much is that grid charger going to cost you when all is said and done?

Let's see...

$19 for the pair of 90v power supplies

$3.50 for a single 12v power supply

$2.50 for a pack of piggyback connectors from RadioShack, because I was too impatient to order online (though I have 7 left over)

$1.25 for two diodes from RadioShack

$0 for a ring terminal and two splice connectors; already had a big box of connectors

$0 for a power supply I found in the garbage at my university, which already had a fuse, fan, and some nice connectors.

$0 for a spool of solder and a nice temperature controlled iron; already had

$0 for heat shrink tubing; already had

$0 for some speaker wire; already had

$0 for some zip ties; already had

$0 for electrical tap; already had

$0 for wire cutter/stripper


I guess if you were starting with nothing, a nice iron will run you ~$30, and you'd need to buy a few large boxes of connectors, might come out to $30 total for the items I listed as "$0", but you'd have enough spare to make 20 grid chargers. I'm always building small electronics and have bins and bins of junk for use as parts, so it's hard for me to know what the actual cost to make things is.